Tavish Scott ‘disappointed’ in Alistair Carmichael

FORMER Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Tavish Scott has said that he is “very disappointed” and feels “let down” by Alistair Carmichael, who is under pressure to resign as an MP over a leaked memo about Nicola Sturgeon

Lib Dem MSP Tavish Scott said Carmichael faced a long road to recovery with many people. Picture: Gordon Fraser

Mr Scott, the MSP for Shetland, said Mr Carmichael faced a “long road to recovery with many people” and suggested that the former minister’s reputation had been damaged after he admitted to leaking a memo which alleged Ms Sturgeon wanted David Cameron to win the General Election.

However, Mr Scott rejected calls from the SNP for the former cabinet minister to resign as the MP for Orkney and Shetland.

Mr Scott also accused the SNP of “hypocrisy” and said that former First Minister Alex Salmond had previously made false claims over legal advice about an independent Scotland’s membership of the European Union.

He said: “I am very disappointed by Alistair’s actions. I feel let down. No wonder many people across the islands do too.

“There are two options. The first is he resigns. The SNP will have won. Few seem to see their abject hypocrisy. Salmond blatantly lied about legal advice on Scotland’s membership of the EU. The difference between Alistair and Salmond is Alistair has confessed and apologised.

“So Alistair could resign. Many are demanding that but the political motivation of the SNP and the yes campaign is obvious and increasingly personal and unpleasant. I detest mob rule and that is what this now looks like. It is not the Shetland I know.

“The second option is that he listens to his constituents, real Shetland folk who will give him a fair hearing.”

Mr Scott added: “If he can demonstrate that he can get back to being a determined, effective local MP then people will accept that.

“Alistair has a long road to recovery with many people. But he should walk that road.”